Top 5 Best Small Gas Grills for Your Patio, Balcony or Backyard (2023)

The main idea behind getting a small gas grill is, of course, to save space. Another common reason is to have a grill that you can easily pack in your car and take along to road trips, camping, and events.

Even with a small gas grill, you can still cook your food to the right degree and produce amazingly tasty dishes.

But looking for a grill that fits your requirements is a task that takes some effort. There are so many different brands and models on the market, and not all are top-quality.

After testing dozens of models in the market, I chose the five best small gas grills to be reviewed in this guide. Some are more portable, while others offer a larger grilling surface without taking up too much space.

5 Best Small Gas Grills Reviewed

Best Overall: Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill

Weber is known for their high-quality grills that are built to last. The upgraded Spirit II series offers several improvements over the older Spirit models that were already great.

This well-designed grill offers great cooking performance and everything works smoothly from ignition to clean up. The E-210 is the smallest model in the Spirit series, but still offers a 360-square-inch main grilling surface that is big enough for at least a dozen burger patties.

The infinity ignition, coming as a part of the GS4 grilling system, ensures the grill lights up promptly. This grill has 2 burners that produce an even flame and enough heat to make the grill hot in no time.

The GS4 also includes flavorizer bars that prevent flare-ups and vaporize the dripping juices adding some smoky flavor to your food. In addition, the improved grease management system makes sure that the excess of melted blubber goes to the disposable drip tray.

There are three different color options available black, ivory, and mocha. All of them look great. The E-210 grill sits on a sturdy cart that has wheels on the other side to help you move it around. It also has six hooks for hanging your grilling tools.

Using this grill is a pleasure, as everything works well and you can focus on cooking great food. Weber has done it again!

That’s why this is my number one recommendation for a small gas grill.

Great Portable Option: Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Propane Grill

Looking for something a bit smaller and more portable?

Thanks to its design, you can pack the Coleman RoadTrip 285 easily and take it along with you. Once you get to your destination the setup is fast and convenient. It also includes a stand, so there is no need for a separate table.

This grill has 3 burners that can be controlled independently. They can be used to create heat zones and provide sufficient heating power. The 285-square-inch grilling surface is big enough for most occasions.

The push-button ignition ensures that you won’t need a lighter to start grilling. Coleman RoadTrip also has a handy built-in thermometer that helps you with controlling the cooking temperature.

It works with small and light 16-ounce propane cylinders, so you don’t have to carry a large and heavy propane tank around.

So portability is the main advantage of this model. But how easy is it to actually fold it up and carry it around? Let’s take a closer look.

The RoadTrip 285 folds up into a suitcase-sized package for easy transport. And you don’t even have to carry it. Once you fold up the stand you can pull the whole thing behind you with the handle and wheels. It’s effortless to take it to your kid’s little league game or pull it out of winter storage and move it to your patio.

One thing that really adds to the versatility of this grill is that the grill grates can be changed to griddles or stove grates. So when you go camping, you can cook bacon and eggs for breakfast without an additional griddle unit. You can also boil your rice or potatoes with stove grates. However, these accessories are sold separately.

I think this is a great portable grill, but it has a few minor setbacks. Some parts of the grill, mainly the side handles, are a bit flimsy. I also noticed that the latch that is supposed to keep the lid shut during transport doesn’t always hold.

If you are looking for a small portable grill that is versatile and has a large enough cooking space, this is my recommendation. The RoadTrip 285 comes in 5 different colors so you can choose the one that best fits your personality.

Best Small Tabletop Gas Grill: Weber Q1200 Propane Gas Grill

Weber Q1200 is a durable and highly portable tabletop gas grill. It has one stainless steel burner that produces up to 8,500 BTUs of heating power. This might not sound like a lot, but it’s enough to make the grill hot in about 10 minutes.

You can use a 16-ounce disposable propane can for fuel, which adds to its portability. If you get a separate connector, like a Weber 6501 adapter hose, you can also hook it up with a bigger propane tank.

This grill can be placed on a tabletop, Weber portable cart, or on the ground. It has sturdy porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates with 189 square inches of cooking space which is enough for about 8 burgers to fit in. If you want to cook pancakes or bacon, just get a Weber 6558 Griddle and you’re all set.

The design of this grill helps protect the burner from weather and wear. The body of the grill is made of durable aluminum, which is weather-resistant.

The Q1200 is a small and affordable grill. Yet, it has all the basic features that are important. Sturdy cooking grates, high-grade burner with even heat, and a well-designed grease management system.

Arriving fully assembled, the grill takes no time to set up and start using. The electric ignition requires AA batteries to work. After you’re done grilling, it only takes a few minutes to clean it.

I don’t really have much to complain about this grill. Yes, it’s quite small, but if that’s a problem then take a look at the larger options in this article. The fact that it only has one burner limits your options for indirect cooking.

The Q1200 is a perfect little grill for balconies and patios. You can also take it along on road trips and camping adventures. The grill is otherwise black but you can choose the color of the lid from 6 different options.

Most Innovative: Fuego F24C Professional Propane Gas Grill

The Fuego F24C is not your average-looking gas grill. For some, it might look a bit odd, but I think the visual aspect of the design is brilliant!

And it’s not just a great-looking piece of metal, the inventive layout makes it also easy and fun to use.

If you consider the cooking space, this is not a small grill. It has a large 415 square inch main grilling surface and an additional 110 square inch warming rack. So why did we include this unit in our small grills comparison? Because the smart design allows you to fit it in a relatively small space.

This grill is large enough for dozens of burgers, hot dogs, and steaks. The burners produce up to 26,500 BTUs of heat and the grill can reach a maximum temperature of 600 °F. That is definitely enough to give your steak a proper sear!

The electric ignition allows you to light it up in a snap. The grill also gets hot fast. It reaches 500 °F in 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the outside air temperature. Cleaning the grill is easy as the residues drip into the grease management system. 

The F24C has 4 wheels and stainless steel handles on the sides. This helps with moving the grill around. It also has a folding plastic tray on the side. This is the only part I don’t really like as it seems to be a bit flimsy. The propane tank can be conveniently placed inside the cabinet under the grill.

If you are looking for a grill that looks unique and can cook enough food for having a backyard barbecue party, get the Fuego F24C!

Budget Pick: Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

If you went through all of the previous options and still couldn’t find a grill that is small and portable enough, I have exactly what you’re looking for. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit is a very SMALL gas grill.

This grill has one burner capable of producing 5,500 BTUs of heating power. It is enough to reach about 400 °F if you give it a moment to heat up. Despite being small, you can still fit six pieces of chicken breasts on the grill.

You can easily fold the grill into a small suitcase. Don’t worry about having to sweat too much carrying it around as it only weighs 19 pounds.

This is a tabletop grill but you can also choose an option that includes a telescope stand. However, you have to cough up some extra bucks for the freestanding version.

How can it be so light? Well, the grill is mostly made of plastic and aluminum. Not the most durable materials, but it gets the job done.

How to Choose the Best Small Gas Grill for Balcony or Patio

Transforming your balcony or patio into the perfect outdoor cooking oasis begins with selecting the right small gas grill. In this section, I’ll guide you through the key factors to consider – from size and portability to heat output and maintenance.

1. Grilling Area and Heat Output

Even when you are looking for a small gas grill, it doesn’t mean that the cooking area can’t be big enough to cook for the whole family or host small barbecue parties. The best models are compact but still offer enough grilling space for your needs.

The amount of heating power your grill can produce is one of its most important attributes. Having enough blast on the burners will ensure that your grill gets hot enough and doesn’t take too long to heat up.

Even with a small grill, you want to reach a temperature of at least 400 °F to get a proper sear for your steaks.

2. Portability

Portability is a crucial factor, especially when you want to take the grill out for camping or tailgating. Also, a grill that’s easy to move around adapts to your changing outdoor settings.

Choose a grill that’s lightweight enough for easy movement, yet sturdy to ensure stability. Look for models with smooth-rolling wheels for maneuverability across different surfaces and lockable wheels for added safety when in use.

Grills with ergonomic handles provide more comfortable lifting and transport. Additionally, foldable features like side shelves or legs are great for saving space.

3. Number of Burners

Most small grills have 2 burners, though one large burner is also common. Having multiple burners allows you to create several heat zones, which makes it easier to cook different foods at the same time.

4. Propane Hookup

How the propane attaches to your grill can make a difference in safety as well as flexibility. Look for a grill that has a well-made gas line that doesn’t leak or break easily.

It’s also good to have some flexibility and be able to use different sizes of propane tanks with your grill.

5. Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning up your grill should be easy and fast. Proper cleanup after each use will extend the grill’s life. Also, cooking food on a clean grill is better for health, as there are no burnt leftovers that contain carcinogens.

You should also perform a thorough cleanup at least a few times per year. If the grill is not easy to disassemble, then it will be a frustrating and unpleasant task.

So get a grill that is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance.

Whichever grill you choose, I hope that you will have many unforgettable moments cooking with it!

-Joonas